Mrs. Feinstein (for
herself, Mr. Kaine, and
Mr. Heinrich) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign
Relations

RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the Senate
regarding efforts by the United States to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict through a negotiated two-state solution.

Whereas the special relationship between the United States
and Israel is rooted in shared interests and shared values of democracy, human
rights, and the rule of law;

Whereas the United States has worked for decades to
strengthen Israel’s security through assistance and cooperation on defense and
intelligence matters in order to enhance the safety of Americans and
Israelis;

Whereas the United States remains unwavering in its
commitment to help Israel address the myriad challenges our ally faces,
including threats from anti-Israel terrorist organizations, regional
instability, horrifying violence in neighboring states, and the prospect of a
nuclear-armed Iran;

Whereas, the United States continues to seek a permanent,
two-state solution to resolve the conflict between Israel and Palestine as a
fundamental component of our Nation’s commitment to the security of
Israel;

Whereas, for 20 years, Presidents of the United States
from both political parties and Israeli Prime Ministers have supported a
two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict;

Whereas ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is vital
to the interests of all parties and to peace and stability in the Middle
East;

Whereas a peace agreement that establishes a Palestinian
state, coexisting side-by-side with Israel in peace and security, is necessary
to ensure that Israel remains a Jewish, democratic state;

Whereas, recognizing the urgency of the situation,
Secretary John Kerry made 6 trips to the Middle East in his first 6 months as
Secretary of State in an effort to resume negotiations toward a two-state
solution;

Whereas, on July 29, 2013, representatives of Israel and
Palestine engaged in face-to-face talks in order to move toward a resumption of
formal negotiations on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict’s final status issues:
Now, therefore, be it

That it is the sense of the Senate
that—

(1)

a two-state
solution is the only outcome to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict which
can—

(A)

ensure the State
of Israel’s survival as a secure, democratic homeland for the Jewish people;
and

(B)

fulfill the
legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people for a state of their
own;

(2)

achievement of a
two-state solution that would enhance stability and security in the Middle East
is a fundamental United States security interest;

(3)

while only Israel
and Palestine can make the difficult choices necessary to end their conflict,
the United States remains indispensable to any viable effort to achieve that
goal;

(4)

Secretary of
State John Kerry is to be commended for his tireless efforts to urgently
advance a negotiated two-state solution; and

(5)

the Senate
pledges its support for a sustained United States diplomatic initiative to help
Israel and Palestine conclude an agreement to end their conflict.